Categories: World

No mercy! 78-year-old kills teen robber in viral video

As the teen goes to open the driver’s door, the man pulls out a pistol and fires at the boy, killing him, police said. X/AugustoTelias

A 78-year-old retiree in Buenos Aires shot and killed a 15-year-old who attempted to rob him outside his home, with the shocking footage sparking national debate.

Attempted robbery turns deadly

The viral surveillance video shows a van pulling up beside the elderly man’s Toyota Hilux, as the teen jumps out and aims what appeared to be a handgun at the driver. Before the suspect could act, the retiree pulled out a .357 Magnum and fired, striking the teen in the skull and chest.

His two accomplices fled the scene as the elderly man fired more shots at the van.

Self-defense ruling

Authorities confirmed the teenager’s gun was a fake, resembling a real firearm. Despite the suspect’s age, local prosecutor Diego Rulli ruled the shooting as self-defense, stating the retiree was legally licensed to carry and use the firearm.

The shooting is the second high-profile case this month in Buenos Aires, fueling debates over crime, self-defense, and gun rights in Argentina.

Herbert Bauernebel

Herbert Bauernebel has been reporting from New York since 1999 and currently works for Bild.de, OE24 TV, and US Live. He also runs the news portal AmerikaReport.de. Bauernebel has covered nearly all major US events of the past quarter-century, including 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Barack Obama’s election, Donald Trump’s surprise victory, the pandemic, last year’s election showdown, as well as natural disasters such as hurricanes and oil spills. He has also reported firsthand on international events, including the Asian tsunami, the Haiti earthquake, and the Fukushima disaster. He lives in Brooklyn with his family and holds degrees in communication and political science from the University of Vienna. Bauernebel is the author of a book about his experiences on 9/11, And the Air Was Full of Ash: 9/11 – The Day That Changed My Life.